Repeating attachment for phonographs.



PATENTED OCT. 11, 1904.

P. WEBER. REPEATING ATTACHMENT FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 1, 1903.

'3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MODEL Witnesses Inventor g? Z3; 3

Attorpey No. 771,851. PATENTED OGT.11, 1904.

P. WEBER. REPEATING ATTACHMENT FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 1, 1903.

B0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET'Z.

v N 0 Y I Q I N a w w E;

H a n N =o a w w an iv 7 Witnesses I Inventor W ZMKM Attorney PATENTEDOCT. 11, 1904.

P, WEBER. RBPEATING ATTACHMENT FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

APPLICATION FILED'OGT. 1, 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3v.

- NO. MobEL;

Witnesses Attorney UNITED STATES Patented October 11, 1904.

PATENT OEEIcE.

PETER W'ERER, OF ORANGE, NEWV JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO NEW JERSEY PATENTCOMPANY, OF ORANGE,

NEW JERSEY.

NEWV JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF REPEATING ATTACHMENT FOR PHONOGRAPHS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 771,851, dated October1 1, 1904.

Application filed October 1, 1903- To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PETER WEBER, of Orange, in the county of Essex andState of New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in RepeatingAttachments for Phonographs, of which the following is a description.

My invention relates to various new and useful improvements in repeatingattachments for phonographs, either in connection with those instrumentsin which the record is to be repeated indefinitely or in connection withthose instruments in which the motor is controlled by dropping a coin inthe slot and wherein it is necessary that the reproducing device shouldautomatically be returned to the commencement of the record ready foranew reproduction.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and improved apparatusfor the purpose, one which can be readily applied to phonographs orallied talking-machines of existing types without detracting from theappearance of the latter and which shall be simple in construction andentirely certain in its operation.

In order that the invention may be better understood, attention isdirected to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification, and in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a phonograph ofcommon type with my special improvements attached thereto, thereproducer-horn being removed for purposes ofclearness; Fig. 2, a frontelevation of the same; Fig. 3, a front elevation of the trippingmechanism in the position which it occupies during the reproduction;Fig. I, a view taken at right angles to Fig. 3, showing the same parts;Fig. 5, a view corresponding to Fig. 3, illustrating the parts of thetripping mechanism after a tripping operation has taken place and beforethe reproducer begins its return movement; Fig. 6, a View taken at rightangles to Fig. 5, showing the same parts in the same position; Fig. 7, afront elevation of the tripping mechanism, illustrating the same ashaving just been returned to its operative position,which Serial No.175,402. (No model.)

action takes place during the return movement of the reproducingdevices; Fig. 8, a view taken at right angles to Fig. 7, showing thesame parts in the same position; Fig. 9, a front elevation of thetripping devices in the position which they occupy when the re- 7producer commences to move to again effect a reproduction of the record;and Fig. 10, a view taken at right angles to Fig. 9, showing the sameparts in the same position.

In all of the above views corresponding parts are represented by thesame numerals of reference.

The phonograph shown in the views is of a common type, being providedwith a mandrel l, a back rod 2, on which travels a sleeve 3, to which issecured the arm at, carrying the eye5, in which are mounted the usualreproducing devices, said sleeve being also provided with a spring-arm6, carrying a nut on its end which engages with the usual feedscrews 7Projecting outwardly from the eye 5 is the extension 8, which travels onthe usual front bar 9 of the phonograph. The mandrel 1 is driven from apulley 10 from anysuitable motor. (Notshown) \Vhen the repeatingattachment is to be used for effecting an indefinite repetition of agiven record, this motor may be stopped and started by the usualmanually operated devices; but when the attachments are to be used inconnection with sound reproducing machines which are adapted to becontrolled by 'thei'ntroduction of a coin in a slot suitable andappropriate mechanism is to be used for effecting the stopping of themotor at the proper time. Mechanism of this latter type is well known toskilled persons in this art and requires no detailed description here.Mounted in a suitable bearing behind and somewhat below the feed-screw 7is a return-shaft 11, having a thread of great pitch cut therein, sothat the reproducing devices will be very rapidly returned to thestarting position at the proper time. This return-shaft is operated inany suitable way-as, for example, by means of a light chain 12 passingover a sprocket-wheel 13 on the shaft of the feedof the reproducingdevices, when the reproducer is elevated from the record and the 4feed-nut is simultaneously disengaged from the feed-shaft 7. Secured tothe extension 8 of the phonograph-arm 4 is a plate 17, having adownwardly-extending front portion 18, formed with a bifurcated lowerend, as shown, one arm, 19, forming an anchor for the lower extremity ofa spring and the other, 21, being provided with an inturned finger 22,which performs important functions in the operation of the devices, aswill be presently described. Mounted on the back side of the plate 18 isa lever 23, having a downturned tail 24 at its end. Secured to thislever near one of its free ends is a pin 25, which is adapted to engagethe front bar 9 of the phonograph to elevate the reproducer from therecord after the latter has been reproduced and simultaneously elevatethe feed-nut from the feed-screw 7 and en gage the pin 16 with thereturn-screw 11'. The lever 23 is normally locked in position tomaintain the pin 25 out of engagement with the front bar 9, by means ofa trip-arm 26, having a notch therein, as shown, which normally engagesthe adjacent edge of the plate 17.

In order to actuate the trip-arm so as to free the lever 23 after therecord has been reproduced, I make use of a releasing-rod 27, which isarranged in the path of travel of the trip-arm as the latter moves withthe reproducing devices. This releasing-rod 27 is supported in an eye28, carried by a bracket 29, which is removably secured to the front ofthe phonograph, and said releasing-rod is locked in any position ofadjustment in said eye by a thumb-screw 30, as shown. By varying theposition of the releasing-rod in its support it will be evident that thetrip-arm 26 can be actuated at any position of the operative stroke ofthe reproducing devices, whereby the return mechanism can be broughtinto operation to return the reproducing devices to the starting-pointimmediately after the record has been reproduced. The spring 20 connectswith the free end of the lever 23, so that as soon as said lever isreleased by the trip-arm 26 the spring will move the lever pivotally toengage the pin 25 with the front bar 9 of the phonograph and elevate thereproducer from the record. In order to reset the lever 23 during thereturn movement of the reproducing devices, I make use of aresetting-arm 31, which is pivoted to said lever and which is providedwith a pin 32, engaging the tail 24, as shown. On the return movement ofthe reproducing devices the resetting-arm 31 engages a pin 33, carriedby a plate 34, as shown. This plate is provided with a slot 35 therein,within which are mounted the screws 36 for holding the plate removablyand .adjustably in position on the front of the phonograph. By adjustingthis plate in one direction or the other the reproducing devices may bemade to engage the record at any point thereon. By thus employingadjusting mechanism for determining the time at which the reproducershall engage the record as well as the time when the reproducer shallleave the record I secure a device in which no time is lost in theoperation, since the parts can be adjusted to engage the reproducer withtherecord at the exact commencement thereof and to disengage thereproducer from the record at the exact conclusion thereof.

The linger 22 is so located with reference to the plate 34 as to besupported by said plate during a part of the return movement of thereproducing devices, so as to still hold the latter out of engagementwith the record, while during the operating movement of the reproducingdevices in effecting a reproduc; tion of the record the finger 22travels beneath said plate 34 and out of engagement with the same, aswill be explained.

The operation of my improved mechanism will be readily understood. is tosay, when the reproducing devices are in engagement with the recordthelever 23 will be locked in its operative position by means of thetrip-arm 26, the pin 25 being just out of contact with the front bar 9,although it will of course be understood that, if desired, the arm 4 canbe supported at its free end at all times by means of the pin 25; butsuch an arrangement is not a desirable one. In the operative position ofthe parts the finger 22 will be located in line below the plate 34, asshown in Figs. 9 and 10. In effecting a reproduction of the record thephonograph operates in the usual way, the feedscrew 7 moving thereproducing devices laterally at the desired pitch, and in this lateralmovement the finger 22 will travel beneath the plate34. As thereproducing devices approach the end of the record the trip-arm 26Normallythat IIO will engage the releasing-rod 27, and said arm will betripped at the proper time, thereby freeing the lever 23 and permittingthe spring 20 to operate the same pivotally, thus engaging the pin 25with the front bar 9 of the phonograph, elevating the reproducingdevices from the record, releasing the feed-nut from the screw 7, andengaging the pin 16 with the return-screw 11. The position of the partsimmediately after the arm 26 has been tripped is shown in Figs. 5 and 6of the drawings.

or the parts rotating by the momentum, the return-screw 11 will causethe reproducing The motor continuing to operate devices to partake of areturn movement, the arm 4 being now supported by the pin 25 of thereturn mechanism. On the return movement of the parts the resetting-arm31 will engage the pin 33, thereby tripping the lever 23 to its originalposition, or somewhat beyond that position, causing the notchon thetrip-arm 26 to again engage the edge of the plate 17 to once more lockthe lever 23 in its normal position. When the resetting-arm 31 leavesthe pin 23, the finger 22 drops upon the plate 34 and still holds thereproducing devices in a withdrawn or elevated position free of therecord. From this point, therefore, to the commencement of the recordthe reproducing devices will be sustained in their elevated position bythe finger 22 traveling on the plate 34, as will be understood. When thefinger 22 reaches the end of said plate, it drops off therefrom andpermits the reproducing devices to again engage the record,the feednutbeing again engaged by the feed-screw 7 and the pin 16 being withdrawnfrom the return-screw 11. By adjusting the position of the plate 34 itwill be seen that the finger 22 may be caused to leave the same at anydesired position with respect to the record, whereby the reproducingdevices may be caused to engage the same at any desired point thereon.During the operative movement of the reproducing devices the resettingarm 31 again engages the pin 33; but in this movement the pin 32 will bemoved away from the tail 24, so that the movement of the resetting-armwill not affect the position of the lever 23.

The device is extremely simple in construction and operation, as will beseen, and has been found to be entirely certain and reliable inpractical use.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new therein, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. In a repeating attachment for phonographs and alliedtalking-machines, in combination with the diaphragm-carrien and meansfor returning the diaphragm-carrier to the starting position when thecarrier is raised, means for raising said carrier comprising a springcarried by the carrier, means for holding said spring under elasticstress during the forward movement of the carrier, and means fortripping said holding means and thereby causing the spring to raise thecarrier, substantially as set forth.

2. In a repeating attachment for phonographs and alliedtalking-machines, in combination with the diaphragm-carrier, and meansfor returning the diaphragm-carrier to its starting position when thecarrier is raised, means for raising said carrier comprising a springcarried by the carrier, a latch for holding said spring under elasticstress during the forward movement of the carrier, and means f rtripping said latch and thereby causing the spring to raise the carrier,substantially as set forth.

3. In a repeating attachment for phonographs and alliedtalking-machines, in combination with the diaphragm-carrier, and meansfor returning the diaphragm-carrier to its starting position when thecarrier is raised, means for raising said carrier comprising a spring,means for holding said spring under elastic stress during the forwardmovement of the carrier and adjustable means for tripping said holdingmeans and thereby causing the spring to raise the carrier, substantiallyas set forth.

4. In a repeating attachment for phonographs and alliedtalking-machines, in combination with thediaphragm-carrier, means forreturning the diaphragm-carrier to its starting position when thecarrier is raised, means for raising said carrier comprising a supportconnected to said carrier and capable of vertical movement with respectthereto, a spring connected to said support for moving it and therebyraising said carrier, means for holding said spring under elastic stressduring the forward movement of the carrier, and means for tripping saidholding means and thereby .causing the spring to raise the carrier,substantially as set forth.

5. In a repeating attachment for phonographs and alliedtalking-machines, in combination with the diaphragm-carrier, and meansfor returning the diaphragm-carrier to its starting position when thecarrier is raised, means for raising said carrier comprising a pivotedlever carried by the carrier, a spring for operating said lever, meansfor holding said spring under elastic stress, and means for trippingsaid holding means and thereby causing the spring to operate the leverand raise the carrier, substantially as set forth.

6. In a repeating attachment for phonographs and alliedtalking-machines, in combination with the diaphragm-carrier, means forreturning the diaphragm-carrier to its starting position when thecarrier is raised, means for raising said carrier comprising a supportconnected to said carrier and capable of vertical movement with respectthereto, a spring connected to said support for moving it and therebyraising said carrier, means for holding said spring under elastic stressduring the forward movement of the carrier, means for tripping saidholding means and thereby causing the spring to raise the carrier, andmeans connected to the phonograph-frame for placing said spring underelastic stress during the return of the carrier, substantially as setforth;

7. In a repeating attachment for phonographs and alliedtalking-machines, in combination with the diaphragm-carrier, means forreturning the diaphragm-carrier to'its starting position when thecarrier is raised, means for raising said carrier comprising a supportconnected to said carrier and capable of vertical movement with respectthereto, a spring connected to said support for moving it and therebyraising'said carrier, means for holding said spring under elastic stressduring the forward movement of the carrier, means for tripping saidholding means and thereby causing the spring to raise the carrier, andadjustable means connected to the phonographframe for placing said.spring under elastic stress during the return of the carrier,substantially as set forth.

8. In repeating mechanism for phonographs and allied talking-machines,the combination has been reset, substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

9. In repcatlng mechanism for phonographs and allied talking-machines,the combination with a mandrel, a feed-screw and reproducing devices, ofa pivoted lever carried with the reproducing devices and arranged whenreleased to elevate the reproducing devices with respect to the mandrel,means for freeing said lever during the operative movement of thereproducing devices, whereby the latter will be elevated from therecord, means for resetting such devices during the return movement ofthe reproducer, a finger carried by the reproducer, a plate with whichsaid finger engages after the tripping mechanism has been reset, andmeans for adjusting the position of said plate longitudinally of therecord, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

This specification signed and witnessed this 28th day of September,1903.

PETER XVEBER.

\Vitnesses:

FRANK L. DYER, TN. A. DOLAN.

